Apparatuses And Methods For The Prevention Of Bodily Injuries

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodily injuries through active monitoring of bodily postures, supporting a body while in or restricting a body from entering predetermined postures which heighten the body&#39;s susceptibility to injury, and alerting one or more entities (e.g., an apparatus user) of a body&#39;s susceptibility to injury is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method may include one or more operations including monitoring one or more bodily postures and/or bodily movements, storing data associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements, determining a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements, and alerting one or more entities when a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements reaches a predetermined level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Provisional Application Ser. No.61/668,125 filed Jul. 5, 2012, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to the field of injury prevention, and morespecifically, to apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodilyinjuries through the use of medical electronics.

INTRODUCTION

A market currently exists for apparatuses related to the prevention ofinjuries, especially injuries resulting from certain forms of physicallabor. Employers actively seek out solutions to reduce costs associatedwith workplace injuries (e.g., over one hundred million dollars is spentannually on preventive back braces). Generally, the market is comprisedof a multitude of normal restrictive-type back braces, most of which canbe classified as one of either an industrial back support or a medicalback brace. Industrial back supports, which are made of soft andrelatively flexible material, are commonly worn by laborers whoseoccupation increases their susceptibility to back injuries (e.g., a highpercentage of nursing aides and truck drivers suffer from back injuriesand, therefore, many in these industries choose to wear industrial backsupports for injury prevention). Medical back braces, which may beeither soft or rigid through the inclusion of inflexible members, arecommonly prescribed by medical professionals to patients post-injury orpost-surgery. Neither industrial back supports nor medical back bracesare effective in actual injury prevention.

There are a variety of support structures that disclose a lumbar backbrace support member for a back brace support belt (e.g., a rigidsupport providing additional axial support to the lumbar region).However, due to the nature of the internal bodily stresses associatedwith the certain forms of physical labor (e.g., stress on the lower backfrom repeatedly leaning forward and lifting), the addition of a rigidmember to a traditional back brace is ill suited to prevent physicallabor injuries. During a two year study reported in December 2000 by theNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), NIOSHfound no statistically significant difference in either the incidence ofworkers compensation claims or self-reported pain between workers whowore back support belts daily and those who rarely or never wore backsupport belts. The study also found that, although back support beltsrestrict certain movements, they do not have that effect when the workerbends forward as in many industrial lifting situations. Back supportbelts, even those including rigid support members, do nothing to preventa physical laborer from entering certain postures known to becontributing factors to bodily injury. Even if such demobilization wereincorporated into a back support belt the apparatus would be highlyuncomfortable.

Another conventional approach to preventing back injuries provides aback bend monitoring system designed to actively monitor and sensevertebral movement (e.g., the changing of the shape of the L1-L5vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, area from concave to either a straight or aconvex shape). In such an approach, the system is deployed on oradjacent to a portion of a person's lower back, and can use electronicsensors to monitor the amount of bending of the lower back. While thesesystems are capable of monitoring and sensing certain bending in thelumbar vertebrae, such bending comprises but one of many factors knownto contribute to bodily injury. Thus, in a typical back bend monitoringsystem that utilizes this approach, the system fails to account for anyadditional factors that may contribute to the user's susceptibility toinjury.

SUMMARY

The present preferred embodiments are apparatuses and methods for theprevention of bodily injuries through active monitoring of bodilypostures, supporting a body while in and/or restricting a body fromentering predetermined postures which heighten the body's susceptibilityto injury, and alerting one or more entities (e.g., an apparatus user)of a body's past, current, or expected future susceptibility to injuryis disclosed herein. Examples of data that may be monitored include, butare not limited to, tilt, torsion, and rotation of the user's lumbarregion. The apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodilyinjuries can be used to alert the apparatus user or others that certainpostures (e.g., a posture the apparatus user is currently in) haveheightened the user's susceptibility to injury thus giving the user theopportunity to refrain from lifting from that posture. The apparatusesand methods for the prevention of bodily injuries can also be used toprovide information to one or more entities other than the apparatususer (e.g., a delivery company that employs the apparatus user to loaddelivery vehicles) of certain jobs and/or employees in which the risk ofinjury is heightened.

In one embodiment, the method may include one or more operationsincluding monitoring one or more bodily postures and/or bodilymovements, storing data associated with bodily postures and/or bodilymovements, determining a risk of injury associated with bodily posturesand/or bodily movements, and alerting one or more entities when a riskof injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movementsreaches a predetermined level. Therefore, the apparatus and methods forthe prevention of bodily injuries solves the long-felt need of providinginformation associated with bodily stresses prior to the onset ofinjury; this information enables preventive measures rather thanreactive measures to be taken with regard to injuries caused by physicallabor.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a depicts a front view of an apparatus for the prevention ofbodily injuries according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 b depicts a back view of an apparatus for the prevention ofbodily injuries according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a method for the prevention of bodilyinjuries according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of a method for the prevention of bodilyinjuries according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of a method for the prevention of bodilyinjuries according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of a method for the prevention of bodilyinjuries according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a method for the prevention of bodilyinjuries according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a system diagram of one or more software applications embodiedin computer readable media for preventing bodily injuries.

FIG. 8 is a system diagram of circuitry for preventing bodily injuries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodily injuries throughactive monitoring of bodily postures, supporting a body while in and/orrestricting a body from entering predetermined postures which heightenthe body's susceptibility to injury, and alerting one or more entities(e.g., an apparatus user) of a body's past, current, or expected futuresusceptibility to injury are described within the Detailed Descriptionbelow.

Various aspects of the invention will now be described. The followingdescription provides specific details for a thorough understanding andenabling description of these examples. One skilled in the art willunderstand, however, that the invention may be practiced without many ofthese details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions maynot be shown or described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the relevant description. Although the diagrams depictcomponents as functionally separate, such depiction is merely forillustrative purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat the components portrayed in these figures may be arbitrarilycombined or divided into separate components.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it isbeing used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainspecific examples of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasizedbelow; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in anyrestricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such inthis Detailed Description section.

Specific details of certain embodiments of the apparatuses and methodsfor the prevention of bodily injuries are set forth in the followingdescription and in FIGS. 1-8 to provide a thorough understanding of suchembodiments. The present apparatus and methods for the prevention ofbodily injuries may have additional embodiments, may be practicedwithout one or more of the details described for any particulardescribed embodiment, or may have any detail described for oneparticular embodiment practiced with any other detail described foranother embodiment.

FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b depict a front view and back view, respectively,of an apparatus for the prevention of bodily injuries 100 according toan embodiment of the invention. In the example of FIG. 1 a, apparatus100 may include one or more elements including a main housing 102, asecondary upper housing 104, a secondary lower housing 106, a torsosupport module 108, and a lumbar support module 110. The followingembodiments and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the apparatuses and methods for theprevention of bodily injuries.

In one embodiment, the main housing 102, shown in FIG. 1 b, comprisesone or more sensors placed within the cavity of the housing. In analternative embodiment the sensors may be adjacent to or coupled to themain housing 102. The sensor may be an inclinometer for measuring tiltof the back, yaw sensors for measuring torsion and rotation of the back,or an accelerometer configured to measure tilt, torsion or rotation ofthe back. For example, the sensors may be Level Developments LCP-45 DualAxis Inclinometer Sensors or iMEMS® ADXL330 3-Axis Accelerometers, datasheets of which are publically available. As used herein, tilt isdefined as a sloping position or movement. Generally, tilt is measuredby positioning a sensing device (e.g., an inclinometer) adjacent to apredetermined portion of a body and measuring the slope with respect toone or more of the sagittal plane, the coronal plane, the transverseplane, and/or any combination thereof. Any of the features describedhere may be included in either the secondary upper housing 104 and/orthe secondary lower housing 106 in alternative embodiments.

In some embodiments, the main housing 102 comprises a power source(e.g., a rechargeable and/or removable battery). Preferably, the powersource is both rechargeable and a standard battery size such thatreplacing batteries is not typically necessary yet the apparatus canstill be utilized if charging is not an option by using standardbatteries. In another embodiment, the main housing 102 may have aninterface capable of connecting to a voltage supply. For example, themain housing 102 may comprise an female power connector that is capableof connecting to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or male powerconnector cable. Any of the features described here may be included ineither the secondary upper housing 104 and/or the secondary lowerhousing 106 in alternative embodiments.

One embodiment of the apparatus 100 requires a memory storage device beplaced within the cavity of either the main housing 102, the secondaryupper housing 104, and/or the secondary lower housing 106. Additionally,all data registered by the at least one sensor described above may bepreserved for a specific timeframe. As discussed above, one skilled inthe art would appreciate the various manners in which the apparatus 100could record and transmit data. One alternative embodiment may include aremovable memory storage device (e.g., USB drive, Secure Digital (SD)non-volatile memory card) that can be used to upload all recorded sensordata to the user's personal computer. Another alternative embodiment mayinclude wireless local area network (WLAN) or Bluetooth® transmittercircuits that enable transmission of WLAN/Bluetooth® signals from theapparatus 100 to the user's personal computer or a data server.

In one preferred embodiment, the torso support module 108 is arranged toenclose, at least partly, the user's upper back and chest. For example,the torso support module 108 may be shoulder straps designed to allowthe secondary upper housing 104 to rest comfortably adjacent to theupper back of the user. One or more sensors designed to monitor movementof the upper back may be coupled to the torso support module 108. In oneembodiment, at least one strain gauge for measuring flexion and/orextension of the spine and/or upper extremities may be used. Forexample, at least one strain gauge may be placed adjacent to the torsosupport module 108 such that when a user leans forward the strain gaugematerial is lengthened, thereby increasing the resistance reading acrosssaid strain gauge material; this allows a central processing unit todetermine the posture and/or bodily movements associated with theresistance reading across the strain gauge material. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the lumbar support module 110 is arranged toenclose the user's lumbar region and waist. For example, the lumbarsupport module 110 may be a semi-rigid back support designed to restrictmovement of the lower back and allow the secondary lower housing 106 torest comfortably adjacent to the lower back of the user. Conversely, thelumbar support module 110 may be a non-rigid waist belt shaped in orderto better adhere the apparatus 100 to the user's lower back profile.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a method for the prevention of bodilyinjuries according to an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment,method 200 may include one or more operations including monitoring oneor more bodily postures and/or bodily movements 202, storing dataassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements 204, determininga risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements206, and alerting one or more entities when a risk of injury associatedwith bodily postures and/or bodily movements reaches a predeterminedlevel 208. The following embodiments and descriptions are forillustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodily injuries.

Monitoring one or more bodily postures and/or bodily movements at block202 may be performed by one or more sensing devices such as straingauges, inclinometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, or yaw sensors. Forexample, sensing devices for monitoring one or more bodily posturesand/or bodily movements may include a high elongation strain gauge formeasuring flexion and/or extension of the upper back, an inclinometerfor measuring tilting of the upper body, and accelerometers formeasuring tilt, torsion and rotation of the lumbar area. In someembodiments, monitoring one or more bodily postures and/or bodilymovements at block 202 may include monitoring for data associated withpredetermined bodily postures, predetermined bodily movements, the speedand/or repetitiveness at which predetermined bodily postures areentered, the speed and/or repetitiveness at which predetermined bodilymovements are executed, or any combination thereof. Other types ofsensing devices known in the art may be used.

In some embodiments, storing data associated with bodily postures and/orbodily movements at block 204 may be performed by one or more datastorage devices such as semiconductor memory, magnetic storage, andoptical storage. For example, storage devices for storing dataassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements may include anSD non-volatile memory card. Preferably, the storage device is both ofan industrial standard format, non-volatile, and also removable (e.g.,an SD card, a USB flash drive) in order to ensure that the dataassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements is lasting andeasily accessible. Other types of data storage devices known in the artmay also be used.

In some embodiments, determining a risk of injury associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements at block 206 may be performed by one ormore central processing units (CPU), one or more human beings, or anycombination thereof. For example, a CPU may calculate the risk of injuryassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements using one ormore predetermined algorithms, or, alternatively, a human being mightdetermine the risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/orbodily movements through examination of data associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements. In some embodiments, the risk ofinjury will be determined to be heightened in the event that certainbodily postures and/or bodily movements sensed indicate that a user islifting items that are heavier or larger than allowable. For example,because people tend to use heft and/or certain identifiable bodilypostures and/or bodily movements to lift heavy items, the operation ofdetermining a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/orbodily movements at block 206 may take such data into account. In someembodiments, the risk of injury will be determined by accounting forcertain bodily postures and/or bodily movements independent of otherdifferent bodily postures and/or bodily movements. For example, the riskof injury determined due to a predetermined level of strain in the lowerback may remain unchanged even with the addition of a level of yaw inthe lower back. In some embodiments, the risk of injury will bedetermined by accounting for certain bodily postures and/or bodilymovements in aggregation with other different bodily postures and/orbodily movements. For example, the risk of injury determined due to acertain predetermined level of strain in the lower back may be less whenthat strain is the only factor contributing to the risk of injury. Insuch an embodiment, holding all but one of the factors contributing tothe risk of injury equal while increasing/decreasing the severity of therisk contributed by that factor will increase/decrease the overalldetermined risk of injury. In some embodiments, the risk of injury willbe determined by monitoring for certain threshold levels of riskassociated with one or more bodily postures and/or bodily movements, orany combination thereof. For example, the determined risk level for apredetermined bodily posture may remain unchanged regardless of theduration of which the bodily posture is maintained. In differentembodiments, the risk of injury will be determined by accounting for thepotential effects of body and/or mental fatigue occurring over thecourse of time. For example, the determined risk of injury may increaseover the course of time even when the bodily postures and/or bodilymovements sensed have remained identical. Generally, embodiments whichaccount for the potential effects of body and/or mental fatigue arepreferred because many workplace injuries occur due to the repetition ofcertain bodily postures and/or bodily movements.

In some embodiments, alerting one or more entities when a risk of injuryassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements reaches apredetermined level at block 208 may be performed through a physicalmeans, visual means, audible means, electronic means, or any combinationthereof. For example, an alerted entity may be the user of the apparatusembodying the disclosed method and the entity may be alerted by aprerecorded voice which recites the current level of risk and recommendsceasing further physical activity. Additionally, an alerted entity maybe an employer or a regulatory agency which is alerted of a level ofrisk of injury through the receipt of electronic data (e.g., receivingan email notification). Generally, embodiments which alert both the userof the apparatus embodying the disclosed method as well as an employerare preferable because such embodiments may facilitate the eliminationof the need for or the occurrence of certain bodily postures and/orbodily movements.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of various embodiments of a method forpreventing bodily injuries. In one embodiment, method 200 may includeone or more operations including continually measuring flexion and/orextension of the upper back 302, continually measuring tilt of the upperbody relative to a completely vertical position 304, and continuallymeasuring torsion and/or rotation of the lumbar area 306. The followingembodiments and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the apparatuses and methods for theprevention of bodily injuries.

In some embodiments, continually measuring flexion and/or extension ofthe upper back at block 302 may be performed using a strain gauge. Forexample, high elongation strain gauges may be positioned adjacent to theuser's upper back by embedding the high elongation strain gauges intothe torso support module 108. In some embodiments, the flexion and/orextension measured includes flexion and/or extension of the upper spine,shoulders, and/or any combination thereof. Flexion and/or extension maybe measured in the sagittal plane, the coronal plane, the transverseplane, and/or any combination thereof. Generally, it is preferable thatflexion and/or extension are measured in at least the sagittal plane forthe upper back. However, flexion and/or extension may be measured forany joint of the body and may be measured in any plane or combination ofplanes. In some embodiments, the strain gauges are calibrated for usewith the unique physiology of one or more users. Measurements associatedwith flexion and/or extension may be taken with any sensing device knownin the art that is suitable for this purpose.

In some embodiments, continually measuring tilt of the upper bodyrelative to a completely vertical position at block 304 may be performedusing one or more inclinometers. For example, an inclinometer may bepositioned adjacent to the user's middle or lower back by placing theinclinometer within the cavity of the main housing 102 of FIG. 1 b. Insome embodiments, an inclinometer for measuring tilt of the upper bodywill measure tilt using a full spherical coordinate system (e.g., theinclinometer will measure not only fore and aft leaning but also side toside leaning). In some embodiments, one or more inclinometers arecalibrated for use with the unique physiology of one or more users.Measurements associated with tilting may be taken with any sensingdevice known in the art that is suitable for this purpose.

In some embodiments, continually measuring torsion and/or rotation ofthe lumbar area at block 306 may be performed using one or more yawsensor or accelerometer. For example, a yaw sensor may be positionedadjacent to the user's lower back by placing the yaw sensor within thecavity of the main housing 102 of FIG. 1 b. In some embodiments, a yawsensor will continually measure the angular velocity of the user'slumbar area. In other embodiments, continually measuring torsion of thelumbar area at block 306 may be performed using one or moreaccelerometers. For example, one or more accelerometers may bepositioned adjacent to the user's shoulders by embedding theaccelerometers within the torso support module 108 or placing theaccelerometers within the cavity of the secondary upper housing 104 forthe purpose of continually measuring torsion or rotation of the upperback. Conversely, one or more accelerometers may be positioned adjacentto the user's lumbar region by embedding the accelerometers within thelumbar support module 110 or within the cavity of the secondary lowerhousing 106 for the purpose of continually measuring torsion or rotationof the lumbar region. Measurements associated with torsion may be basedoff sensing a rate of change or may be based off sensing static bodilypositions. For example, an embodiment that bases measurements off ofsensing static body positions will sense that a body is under torsion inthe lumbar area even if that body is completely motionless. Measurementsassociated with torsion may be taken with any sensing device known inthe art that is suitable for this purpose.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of various embodiments of a method forpreventing bodily injuries. In one embodiment, method 400 may includeone or more operations including monitoring one or more bodily posturesand/or bodily movements 402, storing data associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements 404, determining a risk of injuryassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements 406, alertingone or more entities when a risk of injury associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements reaches a predetermined level 408, andtransmitting data associated with bodily postures and/or bodilymovements 410. In some embodiments, method 400 may include one or morealternative embodiments discussed with reference to method 200. Thefollowing embodiments and descriptions are for illustrative purposesonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the apparatus andmethods for the prevention of bodily injuries.

In some embodiments, the operation of transmitting data associated withbodily postures and/or bodily movements at block 410 may be performedautomatically by one or more different types of a data transmitter. Forexample, the operation of transmitting data associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements at block 410 may be performed by atransmitter configured to transmit data through one or more cellularnetworks, radio signals, Bluetooth® signals, satellites, WLAN networks,optical data transfer networks, or any other means of transmitting data.Preferably, the operation at block 410 is performed automatically inorder to reduce the effort required to access the data and also toencourage the entities which will be receiving the data to analyze thedata and continuously reduce the risk of injury associated with anyparticular job description by eliminating the need for or occurrence ofrisky bodily postures and/or bodily movements. In some embodiments, datamay be transferred manually by removing a data storage device (e.g., anSD card) from the apparatus embodying the method and connecting it to adevice capable of reading the data (e.g., a computer). In someembodiments, the operation of transmitting data associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements at block 410 may include transmittingdata associated with predetermined bodily postures, predetermined bodilymovements, the speed and/or repetitiveness at which predetermined bodilypostures are entered, the speed and/or repetitiveness at whichpredetermined bodily movements are executed, or any combination thereof.Other types of data transmitting devices known in the art may be used.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of various embodiments of a method forpreventing bodily injuries. In one embodiment, method 500 may includeany of the operations of monitoring one or more bodily postures and/orbodily movements 502, storing data associated with bodily posturesand/or bodily movements 504, determining a risk of injury associatedwith bodily postures and/or bodily movements 506, alerting one or moreentities when a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/orbodily movements reaches a predetermined level 508, tracking userlocation 510, and tracking panic button status 512. In some embodiments,method 500 may include one or more alternative embodiments discussedwith reference to method 200. The following embodiments and descriptionsare for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit thescope of the apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodilyinjuries.

In some embodiments, the operation of tracking user location at block510 may be performed by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Forexample, a GPS receiver may be embedded into the apparatus (e.g., withinthe cavity of main housing 102 of FIG. 1 b), and may determine theapproximate location of the user sequentially after predeterminedamounts of time (e.g., every 60 seconds when the device is turned on).In some embodiments, the operation of tracking user location at block510 may be performed by the trilateration and/or triangulation ofavailable signals (e.g., signals transmitted from cellular networktowers). It is generally preferred that the operation of tracking userlocation at block 510 is included in the method 500 because the userlocation data is potentially valuable for many reasons (e.g., exposingspecific locations where a risk of injury associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements is heightened, optimization of deliveryroutes, monitoring of employee location for use in simplification ofwork processes, and/or any combination thereof). The operation oftracking user location at block 510 may be performed by any other meansknown in the art.

In some embodiments, the operation of tracking panic button status atblock 512 may be performed actively by determining the panic buttonstatus at predetermined time intervals, passively by standing by for asignal produced and transmitted by the apparatus only in the event thatthe panic button is activated, or any combination thereof. For example,tracking status of the panic button might be performed only passivelyand not actively in order to increase battery life. In a preferredembodiment, both the operations of tracking user location at block 510and tracking panic button status at block 512 are included because inthe event that a panic button is activated and a person is likelyinjured, information regarding that person's location will be useful forone or more entities to provide aid. For example, in industries that arehighly dependent on physical labor and also cover vast areas (e.g., thelogging industry, the farming industry) the combination of these twofunctions is particularly valuable. The operation of tracking panicbutton status at block 512 may be performed by any other means known inthe art.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of various embodiments of a method forpreventing bodily injuries. In one embodiment, method 600 may includeone or more operations including monitoring one or more bodily posturesand/or bodily movements 602, storing data associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements 604, determining a risk of injuryassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements 606, alertingone or more entities when a risk of injury associated with bodilypostures and/or bodily movements reaches a predetermined level 608, andsupporting and/or inhibiting improper bending of a body 610. In someembodiments, method 600 may include one or more alternative embodimentsdiscussed with reference to method 200. The following embodiments anddescriptions are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the apparatuses and methods for the prevention ofbodily injuries.

In some embodiments, the operation of supporting and/or inhibitingimproper bending of a body at block 610 may be performed by restrictingthe body from entering predetermined postures. For example, theoperation of supporting and/or inhibiting improper bending of a body atblock 610 may include restricting the user's body from leaning forward,which can contribute to stress of the lumbar region. In someembodiments, the operation of supporting and/or inhibiting improperbending of a body at block 610 may be performed by rigid membersembedded within the lumbar support module 110. For example, someembodiments include an aluminum skeletal frame for supporting andinhibiting improper bending of the body. In other embodiments, theoperation of supporting and/or inhibiting improper bending of a body atblock 610 may be performed by an brace comprising elastic materials thatlimit forward leaning and/or motion of the spine. For example, such abrace comprising elastic might assist in setting spinal fusions whilesupporting the spine during occasions of heightened stress (e.g., whilelifting a heavy load). Other means for supporting and/or inhibitingimproper bending of a body known in the art may be used.

FIG. 7 is a system diagram of one or more software applications embodiedin computer readable media for preventing bodily injuries. In someembodiments, system 700 may include one or more software applications704 embodied in computer readable media 702 for performing operations706 of monitoring bodily postures and/or bodily movements, storing dataassociated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements, determining arisk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements,and alerting one or more entities when a risk of injury associated withbodily postures and/or bodily movements reaches a predetermined level.In some embodiments, system 700 may include one or more softwareapplications 704 embodied in computer readable media 702 for performingoperations 706 of any embodiment disclosed herein. In some embodiments,computer readable media 702 may include volatile memory, non-volatilememory, an electronic signal, a wireless signal, an optical signal,and/or other media.

FIG. 8 is a system diagram of circuitry for preventing bodily injuries.In some embodiments, system 800 may include one or more softwareapplications 804 embodied in circuitry 802 configured for performingoperations 806 of monitoring bodily postures and/or bodily movements,storing data associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements,determining a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/orbodily movements, and alerting one or more entities when a risk ofinjury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements reaches apredetermined level. In some embodiments, system 800 may include one ormore software applications 804 embodied in circuitry 802 configured forperforming operations 806 of any embodiment disclosed herein. In someembodiments, circuitry 802 may include a printed circuit board. In someembodiments, circuitry 802 may include a general purpose computer whichhas been programed to perform a specific task. In some embodiments,circuitry 802 may include any other detailed plan or arrangement ofelectrical components designed to perform a specific task.

The words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, whenused in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole andnot to any particular portions of this application. Where the contextpermits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular orplural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or moreitems, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any ofthe items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combinationof the items in the list.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the claimed subjectmatter has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimedsubject matter to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art.Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best describe theprinciples of the invention and its practical application, therebyenabling others skilled in the relevant art to understand the claimedsubject matter, the various embodiments and with various modificationsthat are suited to the particular use contemplated.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

While the above description describes certain embodiments of theinvention, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter howdetailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced inmany ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in itsimplementation details, while still being encompassed by the inventiondisclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used whendescribing certain features or aspects of the invention should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to berestricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of theinvention with which that terminology is associated. In general, theterms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit theinvention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification,unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines suchterms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses notonly the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways ofpracticing or implementing the invention under the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the prevention of bodily injuries,comprising: supporting a body while in or restricting the body fromentering predetermined positions; monitoring bodily position;determining a risk of injury associated with bodily position; comparingthe risk with a threshold level; and alerting one or more entities ofthe body's past, current, or expected future susceptibility to injurybased on bodily position.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting data associated with bodily position to a data storagemedium.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: tracking GPScoordinates; transmitting GPS coordinates to a data storage medium; anddetermining a position of the body from the GPS coordinates.
 4. A methodfor the prevention of bodily injuries, comprising: supporting a bodywhile in or restricting the body from entering predetermined positions;monitoring bodily position; determining a risk of injury associated withbodily position; storing data associated with bodily position; andtransmitting data associated with bodily position to a data storagemedium.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: tracking GPScoordinates; transmitting GPS coordinates to a data storage medium; anddetermining a position of the body from the GPS coordinates.
 6. Anactive monitoring apparatus for the prevention of bodily injuries,comprising: a lumbar support module adapted to support a body while inor restricting the body from entering predetermined positions; at leastone sensor configured to sense bodily movement; a processor configuredto compare a signal received from the at least one sensor to a thresholdlevel; and a means for alerting the user the threshold level has beenexceeded.
 7. The active monitoring apparatus of claim 6, furthercomprising: a GPS monitoring unit; and a transmitting antenna, whereinthe antenna transmits GPS signals to a data storage medium.
 8. Theactive monitoring apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: atransmitter being configured to send an emergency signal in response toa panic button being selected, wherein the emergency signal isconfigured to relay GPS coordinates to a data storage medium.
 9. Theactive monitoring apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensorcomprises an accelerometer, strain gauge, yaw sensor, inclinometer, orany combination thereof.